Improvement in combined twine-cutters, letter-openers, and stamp-moisteners



J. EITEL,

COMBINED TWINE-CUTTER, LETTER-OPENER AND STAMP-MOISTEITER.

No. 170,719. Patented De c. 7,1875.

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p (511% (fl/ BY M ILPETERS, FHOTOLUHOGRAPHER, WASHNGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN EITEL, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED TWlNE-CUTTERS. LETTER-OPENERS, AND STAMP-MOISTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 170,719, dated December 7, 1875; application filed August 14, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN EITEL, of Sacramento, in the county of Sacramento and State of California, have invented a new and Improved Oombined Twine-Gutter, Letter-Opener and Stamp-Moistener, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figures 1 and 2 represent perspective views of my combined twine-cutter, letter-opener, and poststamp moistener, shown in position to illus trate the different applications.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention relates to a neat and convenient implement, which may be carried in the pocket or fastened to a ball of twine, being capable for use as a twine-cutter, letter-opener, and stamp-moistener, and having the different operative parts arranged in very compact and protected manner.

The invention consists of a pair of small scissors, which are protected within an operating guard-spring, to which, also, a spring device for attaching it to the ball of twine, a letter-opening knife, and a pivoted sponge holder, for moistening the stamp, are plied.

111 the drawing. A represents a pair of small scissors, whose legs are pivoted either directly or by intermediate pivot-pieces to a strong band -spring, B, of U-shape, that extends around the scissors to form a guard or protection when the implement is carried in the pocket. The implement may be applied by a spring fastener, (J, which is pivoted to the mainspring B to the twine, to be slipped along the same as it is drawn out in using up the ball of twine. The twine is cut at any required point by pressing with the fingers on the ends of the guard-spring, which produces the cutting action of the scissors on the twine.

A pivoted or stationary knife, D, that forms an extension of the guard-spring when in position for use, is designed for opening letters, being operated by taking hold of the guardspring in a quick and convenient manner.

A small sponge-holder, E, is pivoted to the opposite end of the mainspring, to be thrown like the letter-opening knife to the inside of the spring when not in use. The sponge at the end ofthe sponge-holder is saturated with water and applied for moistening post-stamps where a great number of the same have to be pasted on the letters, so that the disagreeable licking of the same is dispensed with.

The implement combines thus in a neat and compact manner the different devices by which it is applied to the various purposes described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with a strong operating guard-spring, of a small pair of scissors, a letter-opening knife, and a pivoted spongeholder, forming a combined twine-cutter, letter-opener, and stamp-moistener, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the guard-spring, with a pair of scissors, pivoted to the legs of the same, for operating the scissors by depressing the spring ends, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with scissors, of guardspring B and pivoted spring 0, arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN EITEL.

Witnesses:

T. B. MOSHER, PAUL GOEPEL. 

